Harriers end year on a high
DAVID COONEY
There was further success for Cambuslang Harriers last month as they wrapped up 2018 on a high at the West District Cross Country Championships.
The senior and masters mens teams again struck team gold, while the under-20 and 17 men took silver medals and the under-15 girls and boys bronze medals.
There were also individual silver medals for under-17 Christopher McClew, under-20 Gavin Smith and masters men Ben Hukins, while Iain Reid captured the masters men bronze.
The first event of the day was the under-13 girls, with Abbie McClue leading home Eva Ritchie, Lucy McGrandle and Morvern Crawford into fifth spot in the team race.
The under-13 boys trio of Sam McCarthy, Brodie McDonald and Hamish Gardiner finished eighth, with back up coming from Gavin Kelly, Chris Black and Alex Petrie.
Niamh Riggins, Shona Carey and Eilidh Kennedy secured team bronze for the under-15 girls, while the under-15 boys matched this performance thanks to Robbie Woods, Lewis Roddis and Zak Povey with Feargus MacGregor next home for Cambuslang. In finishing seventh and eighth Robbie and Lewis have secured automatic selection to the West District Team for the forthcoming Scottish Inter District Championships in the New Year.
The under-17 and under-20 ladies ran together, albeit the latter had extra distance to cover.
Susie McLaughlin finished 11th in the younger age group with Amy Craig ninth in the under-20 race.
Susie, too, should gain selection for the inter district competition.
The same format applied to the under-17 and 20 men, with the under 17 trio of Christopher McClew, Ruairidh MacGregor and Michael Black finishing a good second and all confirmed their place for the inter district event. Kai Newall provided back up. Second placed under-20 Gavin Smith led Jamie MacKinnon and Drew Pollock to team silver with Andrew Carey in support.
The combined senior and masters women event saw Cambuslang finish eighth thanks to Kirsty O’Brien, Jennifer Reid, Bernie O’Neil and Lesley McArdle.
All four ran well in driving rain and increasingly muddy conditions.
The senior and masters men lined up for the final event of the day with the weather rapidly deteriorating. However, this did not deter the Cambuslang men.
Right from the gun it was clear that it would be a close encounter between Cambuslang and Shettleston Harriers for the top team spot. This proved to be the case throughout. Although Shettleston had their six counters home in the first 17 positions compared to Cambuslang’s six in the top 18, Cambuslang prevailed by nine points.
The club’s tight packing of Fraser Stewart, Alasdair Campbell, Kevan Harvey, Ryan Thomson, Stuart Gibson and Ben Hukins ensured the gold medals were going back to Cambuslang.
Fraser, Alasdair, Kevan and Ryan also booked their places for the senior district team, with under-20 Gavin also being a contender.
The Harriers have an outstanding record in the senior competition having medalled on 41 occasions out of the last 44 years to win 25 gold, 12 silver and 4 bronze medals.
The masters’ team victory was achieved more comfortably from Shettleston and Garscube Harriers.
Thanks to the club’s team of coaches, officials, supporters and parents and also to the West District Organising Committee and to Kilmarnock Harriers.